Review: Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn

About the Book:

Billie, Mary Alice, Helen, and Natalie have worked for the Museum, an elite network of assassins, for forty years. Now their talents are considered old-school and no one appreciates what they have to offer in an age that relies more on technology than people skills.

When the foursome is sent on an all-expenses paid vacation to mark their retirement, they are targeted by one of their own. Only the Board, the top-level members of the Museum, can order the termination of field agents, and the women realize they’ve been marked for death.

Now to get out alive they have to turn against their own organization, relying on experience and each other to get the job done, knowing that working together is the secret to their survival. They’re about to teach the Board what it really means to be a woman—and a killer—of a certain age.

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/killers-of-a-certain-age-by-deanna-raybourn

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60149532-killers-of-a-certain-age

My Thoughts:

My first Deanna Raybourn novel, and I truly enjoyed it. The premise is great, and the start of the book really hooked me. From the present-day retirement celebration to the start of their career, the characters are intriguing and the storyline is dynamic.

Multiple characters narrate the story, but it is told primarily by Billie, one of the four female assassins who have dedicated their career to righting injustices. They were hired by an organization known as the Museum, and the chapters alternate between the start of their careers to the present day. In the present day, they’re supposed to be celebrated and celebrating their retirement, however, they find, that someone at the Museum, has ordered their literal termination.

This mystery is led by smart, strong, mature female characters. I enjoyed the intelligence and humor the author infused in this story. While the ladies are written off as old school and out of touch, can they prove that their talent, intelligence and “outdated” methods still get the job done when they are the targets? I encourage you to dive into this fun read and find out.

About the Author: New York Times and USA Today bestselling novelist Deanna Raybourn is a 6th-generation native Texan. She graduated with a double major in English and history from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Married to her college sweetheart and the mother of one, Raybourn makes her home in Virginia. Her novels have been nominated for numerous awards including two RT Reviewers’ Choice awards, the Agatha, two Dilys Winns, a Last Laugh, three du Mauriers, and most recently the 2019 Edgar Award for Best Novel. She launched a new Victorian mystery series with the 2015 release of A CURIOUS BEGINNING, featuring intrepid butterfly-hunter and amateur sleuth, Veronica Speedwell. Veronica has returned in several more adventures, most recently AN IMPOSSIBLE IMPOSTOR, book seven, which released in early 2022. Deanna’s first contemporary novel, KILLERS OF A CERTAIN AGE, about four female assassins on the cusp of retirement publishes in September 2022.